Two Black Employees File Suit Over Juneteenth Work Party with Fried Chicken, Big Red

Two former black employees from a local Dallas law firm 1800-CAR-WRECK are suing their former employee for racial discrimination, according to my MyFoxDFW.com.

The two employees, Julius Jackson and Erica Cornelius, allege that the firm threw them a Juneteenth celebration party where they were served fried chicken and Big Red soda.

According to the news site, the two employees are citing “unlawful employment practices, racial discrimination and having to work in a racially hostile work environment”in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims the firm threw the party in 2012 for its black employees. The suit also claims the party was the idea of an all-white management team; the black employees did not request the celebration.

Reportedly, a black employee asked for Juneteenth off, in response a white manager said “Y’all don’t need no day off. Ya’ll need to work,” according to MyFoxDFW.com. This reportedly led to the staff throwing the party for the black employees.

In a statement to MyFoxDFW, the co-founder of the firm Amy Witherite denies any racism, it reads, “This firm has been built upon core values of diversity and an inclusive workplace, and we will strongly defend ourselves against these unfair and untrue accusations of discrimination.”

Cornelius and Jackson are seeking the maximum amount of damages allowed by law.